I believe you deserve to vote with confidence and know exactly where I stand on the issues that matter most to our community. That’s why I’m laying it all out here. Conversations with First Ward residents and business owners have shaped my stances and helped me identify exactly what I want to achieve as Alderman. Click the tabs below to see how my platform aligns with your vision for our city. You may not always agree with me on everything, but you’ll always know where I stand, and I’ll always do what I believe is right.
Don’t see something that’s important to you? There’s a suggestion form below. I genuinely want to hear what’s on your mind.
One question continuously pops up in Berwyn: “Why are our taxes so high in Berwyn?” Like you, I ask this same question every time I see my own tax bill. It’s not just about the amount, it’s about fairness and value. I hold the simple belief that if you pay a lot in taxes, you should get a lot in return. And when that’s not happening, it’s a serious problem because it’s a breach of trust between the government and its citizens.
So here’s the million-dollar question (or maybe multi-million, given our tax rates): Is our city government using our taxes effectively? I’m determined to find out and make it right. Here’s my plan:
You work hard for your money, and you deserve to see it used wisely. It’s time to restore fiscal responsibility, common sense, and respect for your tax dollars. Let’s make Berwyn a place where our taxes work for us, not the other way around.
As a small business owner myself, I understand the challenges entrepreneurs face. While Berwyn has laid a strong foundation through its partnership with the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC), I believe we have an obligation to do more. There has been a lot of turnover of businesses in areas that should be thriving, like the Depot District and Ogden. It’s time we give them the support they truly deserve so we can have the kind of neighborhood we want. Here’s my plan:
I want to build a community where entrepreneurship is celebrated, where shopping local is a joy, and where every business has the opportunity to succeed.
When we talk about safety, we’re talking about more than crime rates. True safety is about creating a community where we know and trust our neighbors, where we can rely on fast and effective emergency services, and where every resident has access to the resources they need to live their best lives. When we feel safe, we’re more likely to get out and enjoy our parks, attend local events, or just take a stroll down the street. That’s the kind of vibrant, connected community we all want to be part of.
That’s why, as your Alderman, I will focus on:
I believe in a comprehensive approach to public safety. By addressing both immediate concerns and long-term prevention, we can create a Berwyn where everyone feels safe and respected. As a mental health professional, I understand the importance of feeling secure in one’s community, and I’m dedicated to making that a reality for all our residents.
One topic keeps coming up as I’m knocking on doors: folks are concerned about the number of video gaming parlors popping up around town, especially in the Depot District. I hear you, and I share your concerns. Because it’s not just about personal preference, it’s about the character and future of our city.
We need to ask ourselves, are these businesses truly contributing to Berwyn’s long-term success? Are they the kind of places that make you want to spend a Saturday afternoon strolling down the Depot District with your family and friends? The hard truth is, they’re not. When these parlors cluster together, they fundamentally change the feel of our neighborhood. And not for the better.
It’s a disservice to our community that the prime retail spaces along our train line are being filled with these parlors instead of the diverse, locally-owned businesses we truly need and want. This isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about missed opportunities for economic growth, community building, and creating spaces where families want to spend their time.
So, what do we do about it? Well, if you elect me as your Alderman, here’s my plan:
This approach isn’t about eliminating these businesses entirely. It’s about finding the right balance for Berwyn. We can have a little bit of everything without any one thing taking over. By taking these steps, we can create more inviting community spaces that will provide long-term benefits to our local economy.
When Berwyn was founded in 1890, it was built on a simple, beautiful idea: everything you need on a daily basis should be within a mile of your home. It’s a concept that still resonates today, but as our city has grown and changed, its design hasn’t always kept pace.
As the leader of Bike Walk Berwyn and as a father, I’ve faced the challenges of our broken infrastructure. I’ve navigated unsafe intersections with my daughter, watched commuters treat our residential streets like speedways, and felt the frustration of driving through pothole-ridden alleys. These aren’t just inconveniences, they affect our safety, our property values, and our quality of life.
Berwyn was moving in the right direction over a decade ago. The city’s Active Transportation Plan from 2011 and the adoption of a “complete streets” policy were promising initiatives. But the city’s leadership has not followed through on these good intentions. And that failure has left many residents – particularly children and the elderly – with limited options for navigating our city safely.
That’s why, as your Alderman, I would push for the following changes:
By making changes to our built environment, we can reduce traffic congestion, boost our local economy, make our roads safer, and improve our quality of life. I don’t want to simply fix a road or add a bike lane. I want to create a Berwyn that’s sustainable, more accessible, and that has infrastructure that works better for all of us.
Berwyn, like many cities, is feeling the housing squeeze. Rents and mortgage rates are at an all-time high. For a lot of folks, it’s getting tough to make ends meet. We need to grow our housing options, but in a way that keeps Berwyn feeling like Berwyn.
Our city isn’t a museum, it’s a living, breathing community that needs to adapt. But we can do that without losing the charm and character that make our neighborhoods special. Here’s what I would suggest:
My goal is simple: I want Berwyn to be a place where everyone can find a home they can afford and love, regardless of whether they’re renting or buying. With some creative thinking and common-sense changes, I think we can make that happen.
As your Alderman, I would call for a more fair and reasonable approach to our city’s fees, fines, and regulations. It’s not right that our own government often feels like an obstacle rather than a partner in maintaining and improving our community. We need to strike a balance between maintaining community standards and avoiding unnecessary burdens on residents. Here my plan:
By implementing these changes, we can create a more resident-friendly environment that encourages compliance, supports home improvement, and fosters a positive relationship between the city government and our community.
Flooding is something that hits close to home for me. After purchasing my home in Berwyn, my basement flooded three times in the first year. Talk about a rude welcome, right? Maybe you’ve been there too, staring at inches of water where there shouldn’t be any, worrying about repair costs, and wondering how to stop it from happening again. It’s frustrating, it’s expensive, and it’s a problem we need to tackle head-on.
Berwyn has a flooding problem and it’s getting worse with climate change. Many of our neighbors are struggling to keep their homes dry, especially those who don’t have the cash for flood mitigation systems. To add insult to injury, as more folks install overhead sewers or backflow valves, the extra water ends up in the homes of those without these systems. The city offers a shared cost program for flood mitigation but, let’s be honest, the cost is still out of reach for a lot of families.
As Alderman, here’s what I recommend:
This approach isn’t just about solving our current flooding issues. It’s also about preparing our city to withstand the challenges of climate change and thrive in spite of them.
We need to talk about rodents and community cleanliness. Just this summer, I spotted several rats in my own backyard, in broad daylight. It’s more than just creepy, it’s a real issue that’s affecting our quality of life and potentially our health. For four years now, we’ve grappled with this persistent problem. It’s clear that our current approach isn’t working, and the time for decisive action is now.
When we look at what the city is doing compared to neighboring communities, the disparity is striking. Cicero, a city with only 50% more residents than Berwyn, invests 500% more than what we do in rodent abatement. No wonder we’re struggling to keep up. But let me be clear, I don’t think we need to break the bank to fix this issue. It’s about spending smarter and addressing the root causes of the problem.
As Alderman, I will tackle both immediate rodent control and long-term prevention in the following ways:
Rats and litter shouldn’t be accepted as part of our daily lives. By tackling this issue from multiple angles, we can create a cleaner, healthier Berwyn that we can all be proud of.
I want to foster a Berwyn where we take pride in our city and actively participate in community life. Here’s how I plan to make this vision a reality:
By focusing on these areas, I believe we can make Berwyn an even better place to live.
It’s frustrating when city decisions seem to come out of nowhere. As a mental health therapist, my training has taught me the value of clear communication and, if elected Alderman, I’ll use those skills to make our local government more open and understandable. Here’s my plan:
I’m ready to bridge the gap between city government and our neighborhood, but that’s only possible by building trust in our systems.
As a parent myself, I know how much we all care about giving our children the best education possible in a safe environment. While the city council has a limited role in school operations, that doesn’t mean we can’t make a real difference for our students. Here are some ways I believe we can step up for our kids:
By focusing on these areas and leveraging great community assets, we can create a supportive environment that helps our schools thrive and ensures the safety and educational success of Berwyn’s students both in and around our educational institutions.
Seniors are the backbone of our community, offering a wealth of experience and wisdom that has shaped Berwyn into the city we love today. If elected, I’m committed to improving senior services year-round, not just during election season. Here’s what I propose:
By implementing these initiatives, we can ensure that Berwyn not only honors its seniors but actively supports their well-being and quality of life.
The BNSF railroad cutting through our Depot District is like that one friend we all have – great to have around… until they’re not. It’s our lifeline to Chicago, but it’s also taught us all the value of patience, whether we wanted that lesson or not.
We’ve all been there. You’re running late for work or rushing to get the kids to school. You’re almost there, and then… the crossing gates come down. Again. And if it’s a freight train, you might as well get comfortable, because it could be a 30-minute wait.
This isn’t just annoying; it’s a real problem for our community. Picture ambulances trying to reach emergencies or police responding to calls. With about 170 trains a day (50 of them freight), this isn’t a minor inconvenience. It’s a safety issue that’s tarnishing our city’s reputation.
My opponent says this problem is “too hard” to fix. Yes, coordinating with the state, the railroad, and other stakeholders would be challenging. And indeed, this would be a long-term project that might take longer than any single term. But if you elect me as your Alderman, I commit to tackling this issue head-on. Here’s my plan:
I know it won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight. But I believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way. And I’ve got the will to move this forward.
As someone who has been immersed in the arts since childhood – from piano and choir to theater and filmmaking – I know firsthand how the arts can enrich our lives and bring a community together. Berwyn has a whole community of creatives, and I want to see that creative spirit grow even more. Here’s how I plan to support and grow our local arts and culture scene:
These initiatives will support our local artists, enhance our city’s visual appeal, and reinforce Berwyn’s identity as a vibrant, culturally rich community. Let’s work together to keep the arts at the heart of Berwyn’s character.
Berwyn’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and it’s something we need to celebrate and protect. Unfortunately, with the rise of racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric nationwide, and the uncovering of a white supremacist in North Berwyn, it’s clear that we have work to do to make sure everyone in our city feels safe, valued, and included. With a Latino majority, Berwyn has a unique opportunity to fully embrace its identity and make sure every resident’s voice is heard.
Here’s what I’ll work on as Alderman:
Reintroduce Diversity and Anti-Bias Training: I will call for all city employees to receive the necessary training to understand and respect our city’s rich cultural fabric.
Showcase Our Cultural Heritage: I’ll advocate for more opportunities to highlight Latino and other cultural heritages in Berwyn through celebrations, public art, and events that reflect our shared identity.
Expand Immigrant Support Services: I will push for city programs to provide translation assistance, legal aid referrals, and greater access to community resources.
Stand up to Federal Overreach: I will work to expand our Welcoming City ordinance to ensure that Berwyn protects its residents from unwarranted immigration actions that seek to intimidate and target immigrants and people of color.
We all deserve to live in a city where we feel safe and truly at home. I will fight to ensure that Berwyn remains a place where everyone is welcome. By making sure our spaces and policies reflect the full diversity of our community, we can build a stronger, more connected city that includes everyone.
In September 2023, the City Council approved a 275% pay increase for Aldermen, raising the salary from $10,000 to $37,500 per year. That amount does not even include benefits like health insurance, tuition reimbursement, pensions, and the $7,500 expense account that each Alderman receives. This was done without public discussion or a clear funding plan, leaving many residents justifiably frustrated.
At a time when property taxes, rent, and the cost of living are rising, giving yourself a massive raise feels out of touch with the struggles of everyday Berwyn residents.
I believe that public service is a calling, not a way to profit off taxpayers. While fair compensation can help ensure public office is accessible to working people, any pay increase must be valid, reasonable, and done with public input.
Here’s what I’ll do as Alderman:
For context, the last time Berwyn Aldermen received a pay adjustment was in the 1990s. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $24,000 today, which is far less than the $37,500 now approved. Berwyn deserves leaders who put residents first, not themselves. I will fight for fair, transparent, and justified compensation.